Friday, February 4, 2011

World Cancer Day: 340,000 Cases Of Cancer A Year In The U.S. Could Be Prevented

The World Cancer Day was observed in the country on Friday as elsewhere around the world to raise awareness on cancer and its prevention.

The theme of World Cancer Day this year is “Teach children and teenagers to avoid ultra violet (UV) exposure by being Sun Smart.”

In observance of the day different social organisations arranged various programmes.

Centre for Cancer Prevention and Research (CCPR) organised a daylong free camp for detection and treatment of cancer at its Gazipur Cancer Hospital located at Chandona Chowrasta.

Prevention estimates announced today, World Cancer Day, by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) and World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) show that by eating a varied and healthy diet, undertaking regular physical activity, being at a healthy weight and limiting alcohol intake, as many as 340,000 cases of cancer in United States could be prevented each year.

A team from National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH), led by Dr Md Habibullah Talukder Ruskin, associate professor and head of Cancer Epidemiology, provided consultation free of cost at the camp from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

Assistant Prof Dr Afroza Khanom Rumu of Gynae Oncology, Surgical Oncologist Md Hasanuzzaman and Dr Yesmin Sultana of the NICRH are the other members of the medical team, says a CCPR press release.

Diganta Memorial Cancer Foundation brought out a procession from in front of the National Press Club. Its Chairman Justice Mohammad Abdur Rouf headed the rally, UNB adds.

People from all strata of life including health professionals, educationists and policymakers joined the procession.

These findings are further supported by the World Health Organization's (WHO) new Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health. This landmark report reinforces the AICR/WCRF conclusion that regular physical activity can prevent many diseases such as breast and colon cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. The report provides concrete recommendations for levels of physical activity needed for health at three ages (5-17 years, 18-64 years, and over age 65); these recommendations are especially helpful for low- and middle-income countries, where few national guidelines for physical inactivity exist.

Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world. World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that some 84 million people will die of cancer between 2005 and 2015 around the world. In 2007, there were 7.9 million deaths from cancer, around 13 percent of all deaths.

Each year on February 4, WHO joins the sponsoring International Union against Cancer to promote ways to ease the global burden of the disease. Preventing cancer and raising quality of life for cancer patients are recurring themes of the day.

At present, there are one million cancer patients in Bangladesh while approximately 200,000 new patients, mostly women, are added every year creating a social burden on the country.

The country’s women are now in danger of being affected by cervical cancer, one of the sexually transmitted diseases that claim the life of 18 women every day in the country for lack of awareness.